Digitization levels in German SMEs remain stagnant
A study commissioned by Deutsche Telekom reveals that the digital maturity of German craft businesses has not increased over the past year.
The "Digitalization Index for SMEs 2020/2021," conducted by techconsult, indicates that German craft enterprises scored an average of 57 out of 100 points, matching the previous year's performance. The data reveals a distinct gap between industries: businesses providing commercial services, such as metalworking and precision mechanics, lead with 63 points, while consumer-facing trades maintain a score of 53.
Investment in digital production technology has become a key differentiator for business resilience. Companies with higher levels of digitization reported greater flexibility in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the report, 28 percent of commercial trade businesses utilize remote monitoring, while one-fifth have adopted 3D printing technologies to maintain operational efficiency.
Thomas Spreitzer, head of SME sales at Telekom Deutschland, noted that digital production remains essential for future competitiveness. While one-fifth of businesses reported cutting IT budgets due to pandemic-related pressures, 23 percent indicated plans to increase their digital investments by an average of 21 percent in the coming year.
The research, based on a survey of over 2,000 small and medium-sized enterprises, highlights a shift toward home office adoption, which rose from 16 percent to 55 percent of surveyed companies during the pandemic.